Tofu Tuna
- 3/4 C diced white onion
- 1 drained & pressed firm brick of tofu - crumbled
- 150 grams plain greek yogurt or Vegenaise (I prefer the grapeseed Vegenaise) OR half yogurt & half Vegenaise
- 2 grams crumbled dried seaweed
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 heaping Tbl dijon mustard (a bit more if you'd like)
- 2 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp tumeric
- 1 small stalk celery - diced
- Pinch of white pepper
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/4 tsp soy sauce (I use Braggs Amino Acids)
- Put all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix together. Done!
- For a sandwich, I love this on a ciabatta roll with a piece of lettuce and a slice of provolone. The same with a wrap.
- Top on a bed of greens with some veggies for a delicious salad!
- Serve in a bowl as a dip with crackers and/or veggie sticks!
5 Minute Tofu & Broccoli
5 Minute Tofu & Broccoli is exactly what I need in my life right now! I have been lagging in posting on my blog because I am preparing for 3 concerts in less than two weeks, in addition to preparing to move after 5 crazy and awesome years in Beijing! There are barely enough minutes in the day to keep up with my main priorities! Finding nannies, apartments/houses, buying a car, sorting through insurance (after 5 years of having none), cell phone plans, and the fact that we don’t own so much as a fork anymore! Coming abroad to China, you are given amazing housing that is fully furnished. I had shed my entire life of belongings when I left the US. It’s more than exciting to be purchasing, planning, and preparing for the future, but dang! It’s busy to the extreme! I am, however, EXTREMELY excited even though this is quite bittersweet. There have been tears shed for the smallest of things because I know I’ll never be doing them, or doing them this way, again.
5 Minute Tofu & Broccoli was not meant to be a blog post. I literally had zero time, looked in my fridge (or scrounged around more accurately), threw stuff in a pan, created as I went, and voila. Done in 5 minutes! I was so stinkin’ pleased with myself and the bowl of food looked quite “pretty” that I decided to snap a few shots. This is why you will not see the process making in this post. I had no intention of posting or picture taking until it was all done! To add to this, my amazing friend, Lindsay, had just showed me how to use the basics of Lightroom. Once upon a time, I had attempted to teach myself Photoshop. Once and only once. Honestly, I got so incredibly frustrated by this program that I refused to try it again and almost cried. This seriously happened. In the future, when I actually have back that little thing we like to call “time,” I fully plan on revisiting the horror with a clearer and more driven head, however, until then, if not always, Lightroom is far more intuitive and most definitely did not bring me to the verge of tears. If you are a Beijinger, and even if you’re not, check out my friend’s amazing blog! She offers fabulous packages for family shots etc around Beijing. My best Beijing friend, Alana, who you’ve all heard about just got some great pics from her. I threw this 5 Minute Tofu & Broccoli picture into Lightroom so Lindsay could show me some basics. Fabulous program! Unfortunately, had to throw it in Photoshop to do one small thing that Lightroom does not do and it saved like this… blurry and discolored! Didn’t even remotely attempt to fix it, as I was not going down that rabbit hole again! Like I said, for future days with more time and perhaps a glass (at least) of wine.
Tofu, broccoli, tumeric, onion, garlic, Braggs Amino Acids (or soy sauce!), ginger powder, red pepper flakes, s & p, topped with some Goddess dressing, and done. Like I said, 5 minutes to awesomeness doused in a bowl of health. Simple living for stressful times does not have to mean abandoning your health & tummy happiness. Eat merry & be happy!
- 1 brick firm or extra firm tofu - Very well drained! - Sliced into squares
- 1 small head of broccoli - florets
- 1/4 cup diced onion (optional)
- garlic powder to taste (if you have more time or have pre-minced, throw in 2-3 cloves real garlic)
- tumeric - pinch or two
- red pepper flakes - to taste
- Braggs Amino Acids OR soy sauce - at least 3 Tbl
- s & p to taste (if using soy sauce, limit your salt or do not add)
- Goddess dressing - to taste
- Sesame oil (or whatever you've got!) for pan
- Heat oil in pan
- Add onions - cook for 1 minute
- Turn heat up (fairly high)
- Add pressed tofu, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes, tumeric, and s & p -press down on tofu. Flip after 2-3 minutes.
- Throw in the broccoli and Braggs or soy for the last minute. Toss well
- Remove from heat, let cool for a minute or two, and top with Goddess dressing
- Feel free to add anything you'd like or remove anything from this dish. It's delicious but you can also use this as a guideline to healthy & quick cooking dishes that would be similar. Use what's in your fridge!
- White wine pairing - Gewurztraminer
- Red wine pairing - Sangiovese
The BEST Super Bowl LV Vegan Party Appetizers!
It is vegan super bowl party time again! The BEST Super Bowl LV Vegan Party Appetizers! Are easy, delicious, and will please both vegans and non-vegans alike. Good food is good food, friends. Go _________(insert your team here)_________!
Below is a list of my favorite vegan Super Bowl recipes. Just click on the name of the recipe to bring you directly to its link.
The BEST Super Bowl LV Vegan Party Appetizers!
Southwestern style appetizers –
Cheesy Vegan Sweet Potato Fries Nacho Style!
Vegan Buffalo Chickpea Collard Green Wraps
Mediterranean & Mexican Inspired Vegan Hot Dogs!
Asian-inspired appetizers –
Vegetable Gyoza Recipe – Vegan
Tadka Dal & Curried Yellow Lentils & Potatoes (Vegan)
Random classic appetizers –
Tofu Tuna (As a dip-replace greek
yogurt with vegan yogurt or mayo)!
Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Fried Green Tomatoes with Special Sauce (vegan)!
Italian-inspired appetizers –
Bruschetta (Use a vegan parm or nooch)!
Creamy Vegan Macaroni and Cheese!
Homemade Vegan Pepperoni Pizza
*Click HERE to bring you to my first Super Bowl recipe post ever!
For your Super Bowl vegan food prep. Enjoy! (The most American piece of classical pieces of music out there) …
4 Vegan Soups & Sandwiches
4 Vegan Soups & Sandwiches are perfectly paired for your dining enjoyment. 😉 All easy, all healthy, and all crazy delicious. We’ve been having a pretty mild winter in Portland, OR. No complaints here! Love wearing my winter clothes but have yet felt the need to wear a coat on a daily basis. I went to the mountain to go sledding, soooo voila. Snow fix done. Will most likely go back in March (for my bdayyyy) to go skiing. Hopefully, my Beach Body madness will make me stronger so I don’t feel like I’m dying a slow and snowy death on the slope. Worrrkkk iiittt!!
Sooo… I will soon be posting far better vegan Beach Body recipes than the shit that is currently out there. Most of my soups and sandbos will make an appearance as well. The colored Tupperware totally freak me out b/c it looks like an anorexic move, however, I completely get it. Portion control is everything! Moderation is everything! If only life were that fucking easy. If only self-control was that easy… ; )
Anyway, enjoy the grub! If you have a favorite soup/sandbo combo please, by all means, let me know. Happy Thursday! -FGG
PS- I love this Tribe Called Quest song. It was on my mind the other day…
*CLICK ON THE TITLE OF THE RECIPE TO BRING YOU DIRECTLY TO THE LINK.
1. Lentil Soup with Sauteed Mushrooms (Vegan) & The Most Bitchin’ Broccoli & Eggplant Veggie Burger Ever! -(Use vegan eggs, vegan parm, and vegan mayo)
2. Classic Vegan Chili & Loaded Tofu & Veggie Bagel!
3. Creamy Vegan Carrot Sweet Potato & Mushroom Soup & Tofu Tuna
4. Vegan Kale, Broccoli, & White Bean Soup & Lentil Sloppy Joes To Die For! – (Use a vegan cream cheese and vegan shredded cheese)
The BEST Vegan Dinner Christmas Menu!
The BEST Vegan Dinner Christmas Menu! Is complete with amazing vegan appetizers (not just traditional appetizers, different and delicious apps that aren’t your holiday standards), soups, salads, entrees (pastas, Wellington, stuffed potatoes, stuffed portobellos), and of course, holiday cocktails (both warm and cold)! I’ve had many a small, medium, and large sized holiday parties at my home. No matter where I’ve been, whether I lived in Oregon, California, New York, China etc, I’m always the first to host a T-day or an xmas soiree… I LOVE entertaining! As long as I have the kitchen to myself (I’d love to be in the house by myself), wine, and music, I am golden for hours upon hours in the kitchen. Anyone else?
Since we’re in the seasonal spirit right now, I shall leave you with MY version (or desires) of The Twelve Days of Christmas.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
by, Heather Rugile
On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
a day alone with my SANITY
On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
Two trips to Fiji, and a day alone with my SANITY
On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
Three French men, two trips to Fiji, and a day alone with my SANITY
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
Four thousand dollars, three French men, two trips to Fiji, and a day alone With my SANITY
On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
Five days of PEACE, four thousand dollars, three French men, two trips to Fiji, and a day alone With my SANITY
On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
Six Brad Pitt’s swimming, five days of PEACE, four thousand dollars, three French men, two trips to Fiji, and a day alone with my SANITY
On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
Seven second homes, six Brad Pitt’s swimming, five days of PEACE, four Thousand dollars, three French men, two trips to Fiji, and a day alone with My SANITY
On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
Eight maids a-cleanin’, seven second homes, six Brad Pitt’s swimming, five days of PEACE, four thousand dollars, three French men, two trips to Fiji, and a day alone with My SANITY
On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
Nine buff bods dancin’, eight maids a-cleanin’, seven second homes, six Brad Pitt’s swimming, five days of PEACE, four thousand dollars, three French men, two trips to Fiji, and a day alone with My SANITY
On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
TEN hours sleeping, nine buff bods dancin’, eight maids a-cleanin’, seven second homes, six Brad Pitt’s swimming, five days of PEACE, four thousand dollars, three French men, two trips to Fiji, and a day alone with My SANITY
On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
Eleven days no laundry, TEN hours sleeping, nine buff bods dancin’, eight maids a-cleanin’, seven second homes, six Brad Pitt’s swimming, five days of PEACE, four thousand dollars, three French men, two trips to Fiji, and a day alone with My SANITY
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me,
Twelve flasks of vodka, eleven days no laundry, TEN hours sleeping, nine buff bods dancin’, eight maids a-cleanin’, seven second homes, six Brad Pitt’s swimming, five days of PEACE, four thousand dollars, three French men, two trips to Fiji, and a day alone with My SANITY
PS- Okay, so I totally cannot get enough of the Pentatonix Christmas songs/videos! I know I used their “Little Drummer Boy” in one of last week’s posts, but I feel the need to share this absolutely incredible winter holiday song! A MUST WATCH!
Click the recipes below to bring you directly to the links!
APPETIZERS:
Fried Green Tomatoes with Special Sauce (vegan)!
Premier Tomato Bruschetta with Olives & Capers
(Use my favorite vegan parmesan! Go Veggie! Parmesan)
Hummus & Veggie “Sushi” Rolls
Tofu Tuna
(Replace the greek yogurt with vegan mayo. In my opinion, the BEST EVER vegan mayo is Vegenaise! Also, you could sub out seaweed for white miso paste! This is one of my all time favorite dips)!
Cheesy Vegan Sweet Potato Fries Nacho Style!
Eggplant Meatballs (Vegan)
(Serve them just like the picture with sauce and some toothpicks)!
Vegetable Gyoza Recipe – Vegan
Spicy & Smoky Vegan Cheddar Cheese Wheel & Sundried Tomato & Basil Hummus)
SOUPS:
Vegan Kale, Broccoli, & White Bean Soup
Creamy Tomato & Cauliflower Soup
SALADS:
Sauteed Veggie & Farro Spiralized Zucchini Salad
Pesto Mushroom & Chick Pea Spinach Salad
(Use vegan parmesan. Again, Go Veggie! Is amazing)!
ENTREES:
Vegan Mushroom Lentil Wellington
Creamy Rigatoni with Lentils & Fresh Oregano – Vegan!
Spaghetti Marinara with Chard & Burst Tomatoes
Creamy Vegan Macaroni and Cheese!
The Cheesiest Vegan Broccoli & Cheddar Baked Potato Ever!
Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Stuffed Portobello Mushroom
COCKTAILS:
4 Fabulous Christmas Cocktails
10 Delicious Vegan Holiday Appetizers
10 Delicious Vegan Holiday Appetizers is here for your tasting pleasure because: ’tis the season! I’m obsessed with everything holiday. If you follow me regularly, you’ll know that I’m a total decorating whore (Halloween looked like it exploded over every wall and space both inside and outside my house). I. Love. It. Now that I have a kiddo, people assume I do it for him. I, of course, do it for the wee man. However, with or without child, holidays are huge and celebrated in style… decor and all! That being said, I like to go all out with my food, too. How many Christmas’, Hanukkahs’ etc have you spent at your house, a relatives’ or friends’ house, and you eat THE SAME appetizers, drink THE SAME drinks, et cetera, et cetera? I compiled 10 of my favorite entertaining eats for you that will switch it up and impress your guests, vegan, or not.
When I was little, we spent every Christmas eve at my grandma Rugile’s house. There were always bowls of nuts (shelled), and every kind of nut you can imagine. That’s one tradition I keep. Weird that I keep it though, as one year, I cracked a walnut and the shell flew into my eye and scratched my cornea. I spent a large part of xmas eve in the ER. There was a silver lining, my mom let me stop by my friend and neighbor’s house on the way home, and then allowed me to stay up late, pirate patch and all (old school days), to watch the claymation version of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” (still the only version me and the little dude watch). Imagine having that kind of resilience as an adult?! Fuck that! I’m a total whining a-hole when I’m sick or injured now! No “Rudolph,” visit to a friend’s house, or late night TV would have me not giving a shit. I’d be whining on the couch with a bottle of wine. New adult formula: whine & wine, a necessary combo for adult ailments. Oh how things change. I also can’t run a 6 minute mile anymore, do a pull-up, or come even remotely close to being that individual I was as a kid… like most of us. Though, I’m feeling incredibly inspired as of late to be in the best shape of my life by 40. Dangling carrot and all that jazz. 😉 I digress, as always. If you try any of these appetizers, please leave a pic and a comment! I want to see what you did with yours! Happy holidays, everyone! -FGG
PS- This post is a day late, like Sunday’s post! It’s been a cah-raaaazzzyy week! We’ll be back on track next week for sure. 🙂 Look for our ‘gab’ post tomorrow!
PPS- If ever there was an epic party song, the tune below, La Fiesta (dual piano Chick Corea & Herbie Hancock – saw him perform last year!), is most definitely it! This video is part 1, and then part 2 will play immediately after for the full tune. My favorite version!
PPPS- CLICK ON THE RECIPE BELOW TO BRING YOU DIRECTLY TO THE LINK
Fried Green Tomatoes with Special Sauce (vegan)!
Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Premier Tomato Bruschetta with Olives & Capers
-use vegan parm instead – I LOVE “Go Veggie!” Their vegan parm is the best!
Tofu Tuna
-use vegan mayo (I HIGHLY recommend Vegenaise) instead of greek yogurt
Eggplant Meatballs (Vegan)
Easy Cheesy Vegan Tofu Quesadillas
Tahini Mushroom Dumplings
Vegetable Gyoza Recipe – Vegan
Lentil Sloppy Joes To Die For!
-MAKE THESE AS SLIDERS!!! Take the cheese out entirely – no need! If you’d like, you can use shredded vegan cheese. I would use Field Roast’s Chao pepperjack slices – SO good! – if I opted to use ‘cheese.’
15 Vegetarian Recipes for Toddlers
15 Vegetarian Recipes for Toddlers, are crazy healthy, easy, and most importantly, delicious. Flavor is everything to my kid. If it tastes good, he’ll eat it. These are 15 vegetarian and vegan recipes that toddlers and kids will love!
My mom got lucky with me in the fact that I’d eat anything. Even though I was her only vegetarian at the time (began that journey when I was 8), I was a human garbage disposal for everything else (was? … is – 😉 ). And, she very rarely cooked meat… Fast forwarding: My kid went from eating all veggies to eating none. This was incredibly depressing for me, as veggies are my ultimate fave! Well, next to my carb-o-holic, or more accurately, total carb whore, self. Now, I have to puree them in everything, and bribe him through chaotic fucking meltdowns to eat the teeeeeeniest piece of a veggie because I’m not giving up on that shit. I’m sick of eating pureed everything or having to make two separate meals. Fuck that.
I’ve loved food from the moment I took my first bite, or so I assume. Teaching your kiddo that healthy food is tasty and will be their fuel for their body is soooo important! Imagine learning to play the piano at 30? Learning to ski, surf, or swim at 30? Possible? Totally. Difficult and arduous? Hell yes! When we learn how to do things when we are young, our path to ability and understanding is ridiculously easier. Teach your wee one/s to cook! Being in the kitchen together can be crazy fun! My little dude has an apron (though he’s usually naked – haha), a chef’s hat, and his own little kitchen tools. He loves helping me make his food. It’s rewarding as an adult, so imagine how rewarding it is when you’re a kid! Not to mention, the amazing bonding time with your kiddo. If you make it fun, it’s fun. If you make food good, it’s good. Simple as that. Vegetarian or vegan shouldn’t mean bland or difficult. Hopefully, these recipes will plant the seed to give you creative ideas of your own. If so, please share! Enjoy! -FGG
PS- Click the name of the recipe to bring you directly to the link! Recipes listed in the order of the pictures (first being the featured pic – Quinoa Pancakes)
PPS- Enjoy the tune! 😉
.
Vegan Quinoa Fruit & Veggie Infused Pancakes!
Creamy Vegan Macaroni and Cheese!
Crazy Delicious Veggie Couscous
G’s Avocado Pasta
G’s Creamy Veggie Sauce (no cream)!
Eggplant Meatballs (Vegan)
Vegan Kale Pesto Lasagna with Veggie Tofu Ricotta
Lentil & Tofu Breakfast Quesadillas
Vegan Appetizers for Super Bowl 2018!
Vegan Appetizers for Super Bowl 2018! This will be my 3rd year posting Super Bowl apps. In the past, they’ve been both veg and vegan. This year, they’re solely vegan! (Like me) 😉 Now, I’d be totally lying to you if I said that I knew shit about football. I’d also like to state that I was in the marching band in HS. Still, I know nothing. To be fair, we had the WORST football team on Long Island. We excelled only in soccer and lacrosse. However, our marching band was the best on the island. Aahhh… memories… me and my lil’ clarinet, band clinic, hat & plume, a uniform that didn’t fit well, crushes on virtually all jazz musicians, scavenger hunts, Hofstra performances etc… good times. I digress (as usual), in that trip down memory lane, I should’ve included: football games. I’ve always wanted to be into football. My husband and I used to chat about coming back to live in the US and becoming huge football fans. Bringing our kiddo to the games, wearing jerseys, having people over to watch the Super Bowl etc. So far, none of this has happened. I LOVE the comradery that football fans have with one another. I envy my friends who all get together to watch games, drink, and eat. It sounds amazing! This year, I’ve purchased a Nerf football and I am adamant that I will toss this with my wee man, paint black lines under our eyes, eat game time appetizers, and shout things like “Blitz!,” “Get rid of the ball!,” “RUNNNN!!!” All whilst not having a f#$%ing clue as to what I’m sayin’, ya know?! Anyway, it seems fun and better than simply watching it for the commercials and the halftime show (which often blows). Okay, done with my stories. Enjoy the Vegan Appetizers for Super Bowl 2018! Game time! “Go ___________!”
Here are the links to all of the pictures! (CLICK ON RECIPE TITLE FOR LINK)!
Tofu Tuna (As a dip-replace greek yogurt with vegan yogurt or mayo)!
Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Bruschetta (Use a vegan parm or nooch)!
